There are publications concerning persons in North Carolina in such occupations as lawyers, furniture makers, silversmiths, gunsmiths, postmasters, clock and watch makers, and physicians. For example, there are books of collected biographies of gunsmiths, postmasters, and silversmiths in North Carolina. An example of a book concerning persons who worked at a particular occupation is:

Apprenticeship Bonds, ca. 1840–1925

When children were orphaned, needed employment, or wanted to learn a trade, they often were apprenticed under a contract or indenture called an apprentice bond. These bonds list the name of the young man or woman, the county of residence, their age, the occupation the person was to learn, sometimes the name of a parent, and the name of the master. Apprenticeship bond records of some counties are at the North Carolina State Archives, and microfilms are at the Family History Library. Some apprenticeships are listed in the Freedmen’s Bureau records. For information on these, see North Carolina African Americans.

Family History Library Collection

Occupational records can be found in the FamilySearch Catalog by using a Locality Search under:

NORTH CAROLINA - [COUNTY]- OCCUPATIONS

Miscellaneous Records

Lists of people who served in various positions, including but not limited to local government positions (clerks, mayors, postmasters, surveyors, sheriffs, coroners, constables, district attorneys), state government positions (governors, legislators), ministers, deacons, college trustees, judges, treasurers, professors: ourfamtree.org/records